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Sonay Kartal stuns Keys in the 3rd round
British player Sonay Kartal defeats Madison Keys in a three-set thriller at the Indian Wells tournament
Mar. 10, 2026 at 5:09am
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In a surprising upset, 24-year-old British tennis player Sonay Kartal defeated American star Madison Keys 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the 3rd round of the Indian Wells tournament on Tuesday. This run marks Kartal's best performance at this prestigious event.
Why it matters
Kartal's victory over the higher-ranked Keys is a major breakthrough for the young British player, who has been steadily climbing the WTA rankings. This win will boost Kartal's confidence and prize money earnings as she continues her quest to establish herself as a top player on the women's tour.
The details
After dropping the first set 2-6 to Keys, Kartal bounced back to take the next two sets 6-2, 6-3 to secure the upset victory. The match was closely contested, with both players exchanging breaks of serve throughout. Kartal was able to capitalize on her opportunities in the final set to close out the win.
- The match took place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California.
The players
Sonay Kartal
A 24-year-old British tennis player who is currently ranked No. 35 in the world. This victory over Madison Keys marks her best performance at the Indian Wells tournament.
Madison Keys
An American professional tennis player who is currently ranked No. 12 in the world. She was the heavy favorite heading into this 3rd round matchup against the lower-ranked Kartal.
What they’re saying
“I'm absolutely thrilled with this win. Madison is such a tough opponent, but I stuck to my game plan and it paid off. This is a huge confidence boost for me as I continue my journey on the WTA Tour.”
— Sonay Kartal
What’s next
Kartal will face the winner of the match between Coco Gauff and Elise Mertens in the 4th round on Thursday, March 12th.
The takeaway
Sonay Kartal's stunning upset of Madison Keys demonstrates that she has the talent and mental fortitude to compete with the top players in women's tennis. This breakthrough result will undoubtedly raise her profile and give her momentum as she seeks to make further inroads on the WTA Tour.
